I know – it’s just a comic. But this stuff all makes me feel sad. It’s natural for parents to want their children to be well-behaved and helpful, if not all year, at least in December, a particularly stressful month. But I think there’s harm in the idea of Santa watching children to see if they’re being good and distributing toys accordingly. It tends to make children think they “deserve” what they get instead of being grateful. It can make them look down on children who get less as though they are less worthy. It can make them less generous, more judgemental in giving themselves. It can fill them with anxiety instead of excitement. It can make them resentful if they don’t get what they wanted or if someone (let’s say Clayton) gets just as much without having put in the effort. All this can carry over into unhealthy adult attitudes. And I really do think it misrepresents Santa as bringing rewards rather than the gifts of a generous spirit.
I don’t know what can be done as this concept seems to be everywhere now. But parents shouldn’t encourage it.
I don’t know if it’s popular throughout the country, but there are some bakeries in Mexico that sell oval slices of bread topped with butter icing and sprinkles. And very nice it is too. As for the “pre-planned or not” question: fairy bread is a useful store-cupboard standby, but if it’s popular with a particular mother’s children she’ll include it however many cakes she has.
Hazy can’t pick a lock? I’m surprised.